Improvement in lap-boards



'. M. MERRI'CK.

^ Lap-Board.

NC, IL1.,388l Patented1une15-,l875.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoEo OSCAR MMERRICK, OF CHILLICOTHE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN LAP-BOARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,388, dated June 15, 1875; application led February 3, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, OSCAR M. MERRICK, ofthe town of Chillicothe, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented a Convertible Kneading-Board for Dough, and Tailors or Cutters Lap-Board; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part ofthis specification, in which like letters of reference refer to like parts, and in which Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional elevation; Fig. 2, a side eleva-tion; Fig. 3, a plan of under or inferior surface of the board Fig. 4, a smaller plan view of kneading and cutting side of same.

This invention has for its objects, first, to furnish a light and ilexible kueading-board, to which dough cannot adhere in kneading; second, to provide against the falling of flour or scraps from ends of the board at either hand of the operator; third, to prevent the boa-rd from sliding away from the operator while at work at it; fourth, convertibility of the same into a cutting-board or lap-board, on which to cut garments for domestic use or for tailors, anda which can be used on the lap away from a table or other restingpoiut, save the lap.

The first of these objects is attained by making the boa-rd A ot' zinc, or other appropriate metal to which the dough cannot adhere, and which board is strengthened around the edges by a wire, a a. lhe second object is accomplshed by hollowing out the front of the board to tit the body of the operator, as shown at b, so that the projecting wings e e thus left on either side of said hollow retain the flour and prevent it from falling to the floor of the room. The third object I accomplish by the attachment to the board under each wing of ,rectangular braces, or swiveled arms d d,

pivoted to the board, the free arm of which can be dropped perpendicularly at right angles with the interior surface of the board, so as to pass down the front edge of the table or dresser,

and be folded back again against the board when notin use. The fourth object is attained by attaching to the inferior surface of the board strips fff, or light bars running lengthwise of said board, to act as strengtheners, and also to prevent the 'board (so converted into a cutting-board) from slipping forward on the lap, in which position women, particularly,may use it far away from a table. These strips f, of which I use three or more, according to the size of the board, extend from end to end of same, right and left of it, and parallel to each other, each secured at either end by strings, or a cord, g, which passes through a staple, t', or revolving eye, whose stem is secured parallel with the board, and the eye of which enters and projects above a slot, 7c, cut in the end of the strip for the cord to pass through. The cord thus makes the circuit ot' the board passing from the staple in the end of each strip to the next one. rlhe cord may be substituted at each staple or eye by a small pin or movable bolt or key, or the strips may be secured to the board at either end by hasps or similar fastenings. The stopsd d may be substituted by a flat lip hinged to the board7 so as to open'to a right angle, and no farther.

What 1 claim as my invention, is-

1. The convertible metallic lap-board and kneading-board A, having a curved front, b, in combination with adjustable bars f, eyes or staples i, and stops d, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combination of the .metal board A, stops d, adjustable bars f, slotted at either end, the eyes or staples t', and the cord g, as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing convertible kneading and cutting-board, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of J anuary, 1875.

OSCAR M. MERRICK. Witnesses: HANEORD J. CHASE,

H. F. CALDWELL. 

